THE THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4381, 5 April 1875, Page 2

THE THEATRE ROYAL.

To the constant change of programme, and to the careful attention bestosved upon the production of every piece, is to be attributed the success achieved by the present management. After varying the bill of fare at the Theatre Royal every evening during the week, on Saturday Mrs. Bates played, for the first time this season, “ Elizabeth,” a part she has so entirely made her own that it would be difficult for any actress coming after her to supplant her in the estimation of a Wellington audience. The character of our great Queen, —great in spite of her many faults, —has been carefully studied by Mrs. Bates ; and not content with its broad outline, and its strongly defined lights and shadows, this lady completes the picture in detail in the most artistic manner, showing here a blemish and there a stain, and then startles us with a “ touch of nature ” that comes home to every. heart. The great episodes of the play the death warrant of the Queen of Scots, the defiance of Spain, and the disgrace of Essex—were never better rendered, and it is needless to say met with the usual success, Mrs. Bates being called and called again before the cur tain by the hearty plaudits of a Large and appreciative audience. In other respects the play was well performed, and with one exception the cast was the same as on previous occasions. Mr. Bates, of coux-se, sustained the part of Essex, and in his one and only great scene met with, deserved approbation. This evening one of Tom Taylor’s best comedies, “Still Waters Run Peep,” will be performed for the first time by this company, and as the chief characters will be in the hands of Mrs. Bates, Mr. Bates, and Mr. Charles Burford, no doubt can be entertained of its success.